Protective strap and method of manufacturing the same

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a protective strap and the method of manufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of providing an elongated strap-like base layer; printing a predetermined drawing on a surface of the base layer, wherein the drawing is formed of a plurality of color bits having a color different from that of the base layer; heating and pressurizing the color bits of the base layer at the same time to enable the base layer to form a plurality of concavities on its surface, wherein each of the color bits is positioned in one of the concavities.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates generally to sporting equipment,and more particularly to a protective strap and the method ofmanufacturing the same.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional protective strap 90 adapted towind around a sporting apparatus is composed of a base layer 92 having aplurality of through holes 94, and an underlayer 96 having a colordifferent from that of the base layer 92 and adhered to an underside ofthe base layer 92. While the strap 90 is wound around a handle of thesporting apparatus, the underlayer 96 is exposed to show its color andextra frictions will be provided to the user who holds the strap on thehandle of the sporting apparatus by means of the through holes 94 of thebase layer 92.

[0005] However, the through holes 94 of the base layer 92 isstructurally destructive to the strap 90, thereby causing the strap 90to rupture easily from the through holes 94 while holding the strap 90for a long time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The primary objective of the present invention is to provide aprotective strap, which is not subject to rupture and is effectiveesthetically, and a method of manufacturing the protective strap.

[0007] The foregoing objective of the present invention is attained bythe protective strap of the present invention and the method ofmanufacturing the same. The method includes the steps of providing anelongated strap-like base layer; printing a predetermined drawing on asurface of the base layer, wherein the drawing is formed of a pluralityof color bits having a color different from that of the base layer;heating and pressurizing the color bits of the base layer at the sametime to enable the base layer to form a plurality of concavities on itssurface, wherein each of the color bits is positioned in one of theconcavities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art;

[0009]FIG. 2 shows the second step of a method of manufacturing aprotective strap in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of thepresent invention;

[0010]FIG. 3 shows the third step of the method of manufacturing theprotective strap in accordance with the first preferred embodiment ofthe present invention;

[0011]FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along a line 4-4 indicated inFIG. 3;

[0012]FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along a line 5-5 indicated inFIG. 3;

[0013]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another protective strap inaccordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Referring to FIGS. 2-3, a method of manufacturing a protectivestrap 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention includes the steps as follows:

[0015] Step 1: Provide an elongated base layer.

[0016] Provide an elongated strap-like base layer 12, which has an outersurface made of polyurethane (PU) in black color. Place the base layer12 on a smooth surface and allow the outer surface of the base layer 12to face upwards.

[0017] Step 2: Print a drawing on the outer surface of the base layer.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, print a predetermined drawing 16 on the outersurface of the base layer 12. The drawing 16 is formed of a plurality ofcircular color bits 17 and text color bits 18, such as label or productname, and is white in color.

[0019] Step 3: Form concavities.

[0020] Use a mold equipped with a high-frequency wave equipment (notshown) to touch the drawing 16 on the outer surface of the base layer 12in a short time to heat and pressurize the outer surface of the baselayer 12 quickly, thereby forming a plurality of concavities 14 at thedrawing 16 on the outer surface of the base layer 12.

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the protective strap 10 constructedaccording to the first preferred embodiment of the present invention iscomposed of the elongated strap-like base layer 12 having the black PUouter surface, the concavities 14 on the outer surface, and the drawing16 printed in the concavities 14. The drawing 16 includes a plurality ofcircular color bits 17 and text color bits 18 arranged regularly in theconcavities 14. The concavities 14 in which the circular color bits 17are printed are shaped correspond to the circular color bits 17positioned in the range of the concavities 14. The concavities 14 inwhich the text color bits 18 are printed are shaped correspond to thetext color bits 18 positioned in the- range of the concavities 14,wherein the concavities 14 are slightly larger than the text color bits18 in range, thereby preventing the drawing 16 from shed off the outersurface of the base layer 12 due to friction generated by holding.

[0022] Accordingly, the concavities 14 and the drawing 16 prevent theprotective strap 10 of the first preferred embodiment of the presentinvention from structural destruction and rupture so as to beesthetically effective and to enhance the friction for holding.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 6, another protective strap 20 according to asecond preferred embodiment of the present invention is provided. Themethod of making the protective strap 20 includes the steps as follows:

[0024] Step 1: Provide an elongated base layer.

[0025] Provide an elongated strap-like base layer 22, which has an outersurface made of black polyurethane (PU). Place the base layer 22 on asmooth surface and allow the outer surface of the base layer 22 to faceupwards.

[0026] Step 2: Print a drawing on the surface of the base layer.

[0027] Print a predetermined white drawing 26 on the outer surface ofthe base layer 22. The drawing 26 is formed of a plurality of circularcolor bits 27 and text color bits 28.

[0028] Step 3: Form concavities.

[0029] Use a mold equipped with a high-frequency wave equipment to touchthe drawing 26 on the outer surface of the base layer 22 in a short timefor heating and pressurizing the outer surface of the base layer 22quickly, thereby forming a plurality of concavities 24 at the drawing 26on the outer surface of the base layer 22.

[0030] Step 4: Adhere an underlayer.

[0031] Adhere an elongated strap-like underlayer 29 to an underside ofthe base layer 22.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 6, the protective strap 20 constructed accordingto the second preferred embodiment of the present invention is composedof the elongated strap-like base layer 22 having the black PU outersurface, the concavities 24 formed on the outer surface thereof, thedrawing 26 printed in the concavities 24, and the elongated strap-likeunderlayer 29 adhered to the underside of the base layer 22. Theunderlayer 29 is made of a compressible material, thereby enhancing theshock-absorption and the compressibility for holding the protectivestrap 20.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of manufacturing a protective strapcomprising the steps of: (a) providing an elongated strap-like baselayer; (b) printing a predetermined drawing on a surface of said baselayer, said drawing being formed of a plurality of color bits and havinga color different from that of said base layer; (c) heating andpressurizing said drawing to form a plurality of concavities on thesurface of said base layer, each of said color bits of said drawingbeing positioned in one of said concavities.
 2. The method as defined inclaim 1, wherein said color bits in said step (b) are circular.
 3. Themethod as defined in claim 1, wherein said color bits in said step (b)are text.
 4. The method as defined in claim 1, wherein said step (c) isperformed by a mold equipped with a high-frequency wave equipment. 5.The method as defined in claim 1 further comprising a step of adheringan elongated strap-like underlayer to an underside of said base layerafter said step (c).
 6. A protective strap comprising: an elongatedstrap-like base layer having a plurality of concavities formed on asurface thereof, wherein said concavities have color bits which color isdifferent from that of said base layer.
 7. The protective strap asdefined in claim 6, wherein said color bits of said concavities arecircular.
 8. The protective strap as defined in claim 6, wherein saidcolor bits are text.
 9. The protective strap as defined in claim 6,wherein said base layer is made of polyurethane.
 10. The protectivestrap as defined in claim 6 further comprising an elongated strap-likeunderlayer adhered to an underside of said base layer.